Copenhagen shooting: Suspect held in psych ward, authorities rule out terrorism

Copenhagen mall shooting

A 22-year-old Danish male is accused of opening fire on Sunday (July 3) on shoppers in the Field's mall a few kilometres south of downtown Copenhagen, Denmar.

He was was arrested and charged with manslaughter and intent to kill. 

(Photograph:Reuters)

The man will undergo a psychiatric evaluation

The man was ordered on Monday (July 4) to be held in a closed psychiatric ward, and authorities said they did not suspect the crime to be an act of terrorism. 

He was remanded into custody for 24 days and will undergo a psychiatric evaluation, authorities said. The court has barred publication of his name, which is common in criminal cases in Denmark.

(Photograph:Reuters)

Shocking incident

The incident shocked Denmark at the end of an otherwise festive week in which it hosted the first three stages of the Tour de France cycle race and hundreds of thousands of cheering Danes took to the streets across the country.

(Photograph:Reuters)

Two people killed

The shooter killed two 17-year-olds and a 47-year-old. Seven other people were wounded with gunshots, four with serious injuries, including a 16-year-old girl.

Twenty people received other injuries fleeing the scene.

(Photograph:Reuters)

Act of terror?

The incident could not be viewed as an "act of terror" based on current evidence, Chief Police Inspector Soren Thomassen told reporters, adding there was no indication the suspect had acted together with others. 

"There has been some sort of deliberation and preparation (by the suspect) up to this terrible event," Thomassen told a news conference without providing details on the perpetrator's possible motives.

"Our current assessment is that these are random victims."

(Photograph:Reuters)

What are Danish gun laws?

The suspect, who police said was known to psychiatrists in Denmark, was in possession of a rifle, ammunition and a knife when he was arrested.

Danish gun laws are strict and all firearms, with the exception of some hunting rifles, require a licence issued by the police. The shooter did not have such a licence.

(Photograph:Reuters)